"That suggests you did once celebrate Christmas and yet you don't have any good memories of it at all. Your Christmasses must have been really grim if that is the case."
Well, both my siblings and their families, my 25+ cousins, and the rest of my kin still celebrate (my father sent me pictures of last year's do). Ours involved many things that sound lovely and others obvious enjoyed it, are happy enough to overlook the negatives for the benefits they get out of it, or put up with it as that's part of being part of the family and community they're still in. There were a couple objectively 'grim' events, but mostly I felt it was a pageant for adults that I was to play a role in. I can't recall anything positive, that doesn't mean none ever happened anymore than my not remembering something horrible.
Do you worry your kids will feel left out at all if all their friends are celebrating Christmas even if they are getting pressies?
No more than I worry they'll feel left out when their friends go on holidays abroad or that they don't have TVs or computers in their rooms or other things that other parents provide that I don't either by choice or because I just can't.
Luckily, unlike the 2 year old in question, mine are old enough to ask. My 16 year old's response to 'have you ever felt left out when most of your friends get Christmas presents and you don't' was "No!" in a 'why are you being ridiculous again, mother' tone without looking up from his phone. When I asked if he thought the question was ridiculous he said yes. Lovely monosyllable day we're having. My 13 and 11 year old came in and agreed in a similar tone though they were more happy to discuss it which turned into a discussion on the frustrating of picking people for group work in class and ending up left out. This is their normal, I make no effort to prevent them enjoying it outside the home, but they're quite happy with what we've got so far - which is a lot more than presents.
We have traditions for over a week before and a few days after new year's. Gifts are just the one thing when they were young and got asked this a lot came up. When we answer that, most people chill out so they don't need to explain much else and avoid uncomfortable conversations they don't want, an important social skill.
That's probably true but it's perfectly possible to tailor it to a more individual approach and leave out the parts you don't like if you don't feel too annoyed or bitter about it to not bother at all.
Why do I need to be annoyed or bitter to not put the effort to do a holiday? There are thousands of holidays every year that I don't bother with. In the recent 'what are you doing on New Year's Eve' thread, there were dozens of people going on about not being bothered with it. It's one of my favourite holidays, always has been, I love the idea of reflecting on the past, fresh starts and making conscious plans for the future -- and I don't think people who aren't bothered to do anything particular for it are annoyed and bitter about it. It's just not their thing.
Going on about how holidays can be individualized, is like people who hear I don't drink after trying it a handful of times about 5 years ago and then start saying I can try different alcohols like I don't know that's an option many do. I get it, some people love it and want to share that, but I didn't enjoy it even when nothing grim happened and have no positive associations with being around others drinking so why would I bother continuing? Many people have told me how they'd like not to drink but it's easier for certain social occasions. Maybe they're just being social, but I think a lot of people could be just as if not more happy without it but we're in a social system that makes certain traditional ways of connecting with each other easier.
Also, my family not celebrating means we work extra to give others the time off that is important to them, but means nothing to us. My spouse has had double shifts during at least the 24th-26th for several years to cover for people. I wfh and make sure nothing goes to hell in a handbasket so others can relax. On the 25th, we work, we get takeaway, and we watch Hogfather while the kids make new years signs and later they all put them around the house for us to find. The bathroom ones are always a good laugh. That's how we've individualize it - by making it easier for others to enjoy it and making that day about something else. There is a week left in the year, let's put up decorations, eat pizza with Pratchett, and get some work done. This year we have all sorts of plans and there are plenty of magical tales to tell around the new year.